New layout after a 25 year vacation

[fwcrr]

I tore down my original N Scale layout in 1982. It was a hodge podge, around the room configuration that grew willy nilly. My next layout was on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. That was the one I dismantled in 1985. Now I'm starting again. I say it's for the grandkids, but who am I kidding, right?
Here are some pictures showing what I have finished so far. This is the lower level main line. Minimum radius is about 13". Largest steam loco is a 4-8-2.
I have the cork roadbed down, and hope to lay track this week. An upper level will cover the tracks in the upper left of the picture. This is where a yard will be. I am looking for some advise on how to model a yard, that will not only store rolling stock, but make for some interesting operations.
The layout measures approx. 82" X 66" X 76", with enough walk in space to allow access to all parts of the layout.

Norm

[Lab Rat]

do you plan on adding turnouts i dont see any in there

nevermind upon a second look i see that you only have some of the cork down so turnouts still look like an option

[West Virginia Midland Man]

Interesting benchwork. Is that an old desk I see incorporated? You're as bad as me, LOL. Part of my benchwork sits over a low chest of drawers where I store locos and cars and yet another part over two video cabinets I use to store books.

As for your yard, if you want to store cars, build a staging yard. If you want to operate a yard, a through yard is good. Make up trains and send them out.

[fwcrr]

the lower level will have a reverse loop (kind of where the black line is), 2 passing sidings, and a connection to the upper level. More turnouts will be added as needed.

[fwcrr]

Hoping to finish tomorrow and run a steam locomotive around the lower mainline.
Have about 2 more pcs of flextrack to lay, run power, then clean track, clean wheels, gauge the track, etc.
Here's a couple of pics.

[Lab Rat]

looking good the "gandkids" will love it lol

[fwcrr]

Here's the first run over the lower level with a small yard switcher. The video is on facebook, so if you can't view it, I'll post it on youtube.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=491818115003

[fwcrr]

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=491818115003

I used the "insert link" feature to see what happens vs my previous post.

[West Virginia Midland Man]

Was that the video, or did the loco stutter over a couple of spots? Also, what Code Rail are you using? Looks like 100.

[hamltnblue]

Good trackwork. West Virginia Man, it's N gauge so probably lower than Code 100. Do they even make code 100 in N?